Tulsa OK vs Waukegan IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 33,889 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.6 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 57.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 14.2% | 11.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 16.4% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $239,865 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 40.2% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 21.3% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.8% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 33.7 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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